The damage was done in the first half – despite Wes Thomas levelling matter before the break, the U's came away with their third consecutive win.
The major change to Mark Cooper’s line-up came in goal, where Tyrell Belford was drafted in as a starter with Lawrence Vigouroux dropping to the substitutes’ bench. Skipper, Nathan Thompson missed out with a groin injury so Yaser Kasim was his replacement, with Town lining up in a 3-5-2 formation.
Colchester hit the front with just three minutes on the clock. George Moncur, son of Town legend, John, met a low cross from the left and swept the ball into the back of the net.
After screwing wide from a good position shortly after the opener, Wes Thomas drew Town level on 22 minutes. A corner from the Swindon right was flicked on by the rising Jordan Turnbull and the ball landed at the feet of the striker. The on-loan Bimingham City man steadied himself before slamming home from close range.
Thomas’s afternoon was to conclude minutes later, when he hobbled off with an injury. Jermaine Hylton, back among the substitutes, was his replacement.
Henrik Ojamaa, playing in a right wing-back position was next to go closest for the hosts. Nicky Ajose’s ball across the box evaded the arriving Hylton before coming to the Estonian at the far post. His goal-bound drive was tipped over by the U’s ‘keeper, Jamie Jones.
Before the break, Colchester were in front again. A neat passing exchange down the U’s left flank released Callum Harriott in the box and, from a tight angle, he drilled the ball into the far corner.
After half time, Swindon continued to create chances: Rapha Branco, deputising as skipper in the absense of Nathan Thompson, lifted a shot over the crossbar following a rehearsed corner routine.
The U's remained a threat on the counter and Town had to be alert on a number of occasions to shepherd danger away from goal.
Jones plucked Jordan Turnbull's goalbound header out of the air after good work from Henrik Ojamaa while Ajose went closest to finding an equaliser for the hosts, clipping the woodwork having been picked out by substitute, Jeremy Balmy's cross.